Estate Planning Practice

I help clients create an estate plan that is tailored to each individual’s unique needs, assets, and familial situations, whether the planning is for large or modest estates. The types of documents I draft include Wills, Living Trusts, Irrevocable Trusts, and Incapacity Planning Documents such as Durable and Medical Powers of Attorney, and Directives to Physicians and Family or Surrogates (“Living Will”). I can also update existing estate planning documents. I enjoy meeting with clients, explaining the estate planning options, and helping you find a plan that is right for you and your family. Through careful planning, I am often able to minimize estate administration expenses, creditor claims, and even estate taxes in order to preserve more of your estate for your loves ones.

Probate, Heirships, & Trust Administration

The death of a loved one can be a stressful and emotional time for many clients. I can help explain and guide you through the probate process. If your loved one did not have a Will, then I can help you through an heirship proceeding and can provide solutions to complicated familial situations.

I often represent nominated executors, administrators, and trustees to help them comply with their fiduciary obligations and administer estates. I also represent beneficiaries and heirs with respect to their rights in an estate or trust. An estate administration can also be a minefield for creditor claims, and I can help you through that process.

Elder Law and Guardianship

My practice encompasses incapacity planning for clients and the preservation of assets for long-term care. Proactive planning for incapacity can help clients avoid the need for a future court managed guardianship process. I also represent family members who are caring for incapacitated individuals, and can often find alternatives to costly court guardianships of an incapacitated loved one. If guardianship becomes necessary as a last resort, then I am also certified with the State Bar of Texas to represent applicants in a court guardianship process. Finally, I can help create guardianships or court management trusts for minors who inherit assets.

Professional Events & Background

Ms. Serrano has participated in a number of professional and speaking events, including events with the State Bar of Texas, El Paso Bar Association, El Paso Estate Planning Council, the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, the Foundation for the Diocese of El Paso, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, UTEP, NMSU, and Region 19. Ms. Serrano has also authored articles on topics such as the probate process, ancillary probate, and ethical considerations in estate planning. She is currently serving as the Director of the UTEP Women’s Estate Planning Conference, and has previously served as the President of the Southern New Mexico Estate Planning Council and a board member of the El Paso Estate Planning Council.

An El Paso native, Ms. Serrano received her Bachelor of Business Administration from UTEP, graduating magna cum laude. In 2013, she went on to earn her law degree at Texas Tech University School of Law, where she graduated third in her class and received a number of honors, including being inducted into the Order of the Coif and being named in the Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

Presentations & Publications

• 2017, 2018, 2019, & 2021. Legal and Practical Aspects of Estate Planning. Presenter at the UTEP Estate Planning Conference for Women.

• October 5, 2018. Ancillary Probate. Presenter and Author, hosted by the State Bar of Texas.

• October 5, 2017. Probate Process from Start to Finish for Paralegals: Closing the Estate. Presenter and Author, hosted by the Institute for Paralegal Education and National Business Institute.

• April 28, 2017. Estate Planning for Special Needs Individuals. Presenter at the Education Service Center—Region 19.

• April 24, 2017. Professional panelist at the Planned Giving Seminar, Foundation for the Diocese of El Paso.

• April 19, 2017. Heirships: No Will? Now What? Presenter at the El Paso Estate Planning Council.

• February 1, 2017. Basic Estate Planning. Presenter at the NMSU Estate Planning Conference for Women.

• November 10, 2016. Estate Planning Amidst Uncertainty. Presenter at the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers.

• February 12, 2016. Probate Law: Estate Administration. Author & presenter at the 20th Annual Civil Trial Practice Seminar, El Paso Bar Association.

• October 16-17, 2014. WHAT—I HAVE A CONFLICT? Author and presenter at the 22nd Annual Estate Planning Institute, Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico.

Organizations

• UTEP Estate Planning Conference for Women, Director

• El Paso Bar Association, Member

• El Paso Estate Planning Council, Member

• El Paso Probate Association, Member

• Southern New Mexico Estate Planning Council, Member